- Time Period: The Great War
- Institution: 30 June 1921
- Country: France
The Medal for Victims of the Invasion is a French medal that intended to thank and distinguish the war hostages and persons deported outside of France, who had been imprisoned by the enemy or condemned to forced labour.
At the end of the Great War, it seemed necessary to pay tribute to the courage of the populations of the invaded and occupied regions of France by rewarding them with several medals, among them the Medal for Victims of the Invasion.
Two categories of persons were recognized to have the right to special recognition by the country: Political prisoners condemned by the German authorities to severe punishment for their attachment to France, and hostages of war who for sometimes years, remained in retaliation camps in Poland and Lithuania.
The Medal for victims of the invasion was awarded in three classes: The 1st class in silver gilt, the 2nd class in silver and the 3rd class in bronze.
Medal for Victims of the Invasion Design
The medal measures 30 mm in diameter, is circular and struck in bronze, silvered bronze, silver or gilt silver.
The obverse of the medal was done by engraver Pierre Dautel and bears the relief image of the right profile of a woman wearing a scarf. She has her hands bound in front of her and is looking skywards. The reverse has a relief inscription that reads “AUX” ”VICTIMES” ”DE” ”L’INVASION” ”LA FRANCE” ”RECONNAISSANTE” surrounded by a laurel wreath.
Two clasps could be worn on the ribbon: OTAGES DE GUERRE (WAR HOSTAGES) and PRISONNIERS POLITIQUES (POLITICAL PRISONERS).
